► Tyre choices and emergency repairs

Wow, that's astonishing. I never realised Autosol could bring the pipes up like that. Right, time to head into the garage and find my Autosol and start on a small bit to see if I can get the same results. Many thanks :thumb2
 
There's a product called "shiny sinks" that buffs (stainless) exhausts up too, but not it won't polish to mirror shine like autosol.

There's a gadget called a valve stem puller so you can pull the valve from the inner tube through - we're awaiting one at the moment. Lost in mail-space?

I painted my bash plate satin black with grey primer and rattle cans from Halfords... Why? Because it's a bash plate. What's the point in putting a hard-core-expensive surface on it if it's going to be sand blasted by debris from the front wheel. This way I can spend an afternoon and re-rattle-can it if needed at a very low cost.

Oh, and we run Heidenaus, about to put our 2nd set on soon prior to our 3,000 mile trip.

Good job, stephen!
 
Dunlop TR91 best in test

The German magazine "Das Motorrad" tested 7 enduro tyres, and the TR91 came first place. Especially permormance in the wet was convincing, and the overall handling, roadholding, grip, and precision of steering. also shortest braking distance of the lot.
They geared up 7 1200GS's and took them to France, Spain (pyrenees) and to the special circuit in France where they could test the tyres under wet conditions.
2 was Trail Attack, 3 tourance, 4 scorpion trail, 5 Battle Wing, 6 anakee 2, 7 avon distanzia.
It confirmed my findings after a year of TR's on our 2 bikes, so there it is.
hans
 
That doesn't surprise me. Its predecessor, the D607 is the best tyre I've used on a GS. It's just a shame that the Dunlops aren't on BMW Motorrad's fitment list so BMW dealers, in the UK at least, won't supply them or fit them.
 
I cannot beleive the Battlewings were not last, would hate to ride on any tyre that scored below them things!

May try some TR91's, but fear after being spoiled by Roadsmarts they will be a bit dissapointing.
 
It's hard to believe that anything can beat the Trail Attacks. I've had a pair on for over a year now, and can't fault them.

I recently changed to a pair of (Free) Scorpions, and they're rubbish. Worse even than the Bridgestones. They're ok in the wet, and ok cranked over, but they follow every white line and ridge.
 
It's hard to believe that anything can beat the Trail Attacks. I've had a pair on for over a year now, and can't fault them.

They're ok - I just binned a pair at c. 4.7K miles. However, they weren't wonderful in the cold and wet, seeming to take a while to warm up.

Dunlop D607, on the other hand were the proverbial shit-to-a-blanket tyres. If the TR91 are only as good as that the'll be excellent.
 
they were tested only on-road or is there some off-road test also?
I have TR91 and they are great on-road but I would like to have additional off road capabilities (like 70 on -30 off instead of 90-10).
I was thinking about the heidenaus K60 but I'm reluctant about how they behave on wet pavement.
 
Bridgestones:

I have ridden on Anakee's and Tourances on 1200 GS's (30k miles).
I am now on an 800GS (done 15k miles) which is on Battlewings and I think they are way better than both of the other two.
I think the bike, how you ride it, and your ability to gauge what's happening under you makes up loads of what you think of a tyre.
I admit that the Bridgestones do white line quite alot but that would be my only negative thing to say about them.

For clarity, I am talking about Bridgestone Battlewing's 501/502's

Anybody got a link to the test mentioned?

CM
 
I could never understand why folks moaned about the 'Wings ... mine gave me 8k and I was able to deck the stand on both sides when 'making progress'. I got a set of Anakees recently and they've never given me the same level of confidence, the front in particular was quite frisky and prone to pattering and skipping when pressing on...

I'm tempted by these Dunlops though - might give them a go...

G
 
quantum jump

Posted about the change from 'wings to TR's a while ago, to me they transformed our bikes. The wing's stepped aside sometimes in corners on a DRY road without any reason/cause I could think of (both bikes!), in the wet it was russian roulette, TR's never did that ever so far, and BIG difference in the wet. I can yank the bike here and there, left and right, as rough as I want, they stay glued. Ridges don't exist anymore. Done a 3 week trip Pyrenees with full camping gear, lots of hair pins, and some long weekends France and Germany, they didn't blink. Mind the tyre pressure though, after experimenting I found 2.0/ 2.2 to be best. Dunlop's advice is 1.8/1.9, but I found that really too soft. you will enjoy them. hans
 
Tool stuff for the 650...

I am in the process of putting together a travel/emergency tool kit for my bike and then it dawned on me - tubeless tyres so no need to take wheels off for repairs....

I figure anything the stop n go won't repair (ie sidewall tears) there's no point taking the wheel off anyway, unless i am carrying a spare tyre.

Has anyone out there put together a tool kit for the 650 that can point me in the right direction for usefulness?

S
 
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get the old tube professionally vulcanised as soon as possible

How on earth do you find someone who can do this?
I live in Hull and its hard enough getting me head around the cost of a new innertube (£17) never mind the £14 to fit it to a wheel as well!!

Anyone know where I can get a new inertube at a more Yorkshire price?

Still want to know about the vulcanised patch thing too.
 


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